CHICAGO – To recruit and retain quality educators at city schools, Chicago Public Schools will receive a $200,000 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to support teacher residencies, Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) announced Thursday.

“Although teachers have always played a vital role in our communities by educating our youth, we’ve really seen a wave of appreciation and support due to the extra sacrifices and hard work educators have exhibited during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Martinez said. “Encouraging more people to join the teaching profession and investing in residency programs is an important step to offer the opportunity to inspired, educated individuals considering making a career change.”

Teacher residency programs offer an alternative to the traditional teacher preparation experience. In partnership with state-recognized higher education institutions that have approved teacher preparation programs, residency programs provide clinical experience alongside mentor teachers, while also providing additional staffing in high-need areas.

ISBE is accepting applications for the next round of Teacher Residency Planning Grants. The grant application is open to local education agencies that serve high numbers of students of color or low-income students, or have a high demand for new teachers.

Interested applicants can learn more about the grants and apply here.

GLENVIEW – To ensure survivors of sexual assault have access to treatment even during a pandemic, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is drawing attention to a new law that would allow any federally qualified health center to administer medical forensic exams, also known as rape kits, during a public health crisis like the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Hospitals are crowded and risky areas right now, which may deter people from seeking care after they have experienced sexual assault,” Fine said. “This law enables survivors to seek justice quickly and safely, even during a public health crisis.”

Senate Bill 557 allows approved federally qualified health centers to perform rape kit examinations and collection during public health emergencies like COVID-19.

“It’s important that we give survivors a safe place to get help,” Fine said. “Expanding treatment options ensures anyone can access the care they need, when they need it.”

The bill was signed into law Friday and took effect immediately.

NORTH CHICAGO – North Chicago CUSD 187 will receive a $200,000 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to implement teacher residencies, State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) announced Thursday.

“Illinois is facing a teacher shortage, and it’s essential that we provide school districts with all the tools available to recruit and retain qualified teachers,” Link said. “Teacher residency programs provide yet another pathway to help schools ensure they can put high-quality teachers in classrooms.”

Teacher residency programs offer an alternative to the traditional teacher preparation experience. In partnership with state-recognized higher education institutions that have approved teacher preparation programs, residency programs provide clinical experience alongside mentor teachers while also providing additional staffing in high-need areas.

The State Board of Education is also now accepting applications for the next round of Teacher Residency Planning Grants. The grant application is open to local education agencies that serve high numbers of students of color or low-income students, or have a high demand for new teachers.

For more information or to apply, visit https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-Effectiveness-Grants.aspx.

DES PLAINES – Small businesses and independent contractors struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for one-time, zero-interest loans through the Cook County Community Recovery Fund, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced today.

“Our communities are beginning to recover from the COVID-19 outbreak, but the past few months have been devastating to the restaurants, shops and nonprofits that make our neighborhoods unique,” said Murphy. “These funds are a way for the county to offer support to businesses that are especially vulnerable at this time.”

The $10 million Community Recovery Fund offers loans of up to $20,000 for small businesses and up to $10,000 for independent contractors. The program will serve suburban Cook County businesses with fewer than 25 employees and less than $3 million in annual revenue, or independent contractors with less than $100,000 in yearly income who earn at least 50% of their revenue from contracting work.

Self-employed independent contractors, like rideshare drivers and other gig industry workers, who reside in South Suburban Cook County are also eligible to apply.

“With so many business owners hurting, $10 million is just a start,” said Murphy. “But these funds may provide some relief while we work to come up with other ways to offer assistance to our small business community.”

Online applications for the loans in Spanish and English are available now through June 17, 2020. To find additional information and apply, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery.

MAYWOOD - In solidarity with protestors across the nation, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) welcomed colleagues of the Caucus of Black Elected Officials to the Fred Hampton Aquatic Center Sunday.

“I have been that angry Black woman for 21 years, and I am not going to stop being that angry Black woman until we have access to resources,” Lightford said. “For those of us who have experienced institutional racism and sexism, do not give up. Do not give in. Do not feel oppressed. Find someone like Representative Welch, Clerk Karen Yarbrough or Mayor Thompson that will fight with you.”

The event was the fourth in a series of events that came together shortly after a weekend of unrest across Chicago that resulted in the looting of a number of local businesses. Lightford was joined by Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Senate President Don Harmon, Rep. Chris Welch, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, local mayors and trustees, and other West Suburban leaders.

“We are here in Maywood, a stop on the Underground Railroad 400 years ago as our ancestors sought freedom,” Stratton said. “And today, we are still seeking freedom.”

Those who attended received food, hand sanitizer, census information and other helpful resources. They also heard from legislators about the issues in the Western Suburbs and what changes they expect to see.

“There is not justice without police accountability. There is not justice without criminal justice reform. There is not justice without reversing the disinvestment and instead making significant investments in our Black communities,” Pritzker said.

Legislators continue to support peaceful protests as they work on an agenda that answers the call to action.

SPRINGFIELD - Following the signing of the Illinois FY 2021 budget, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) highlighted the preservation of education and local government funding and efforts to address financial challenges presented by COVID-19.

Ellman emphasized that with this budget, the state is committed to maintaining and making full pension payments, as well as holding the line for P-12 and higher education funding.

“We have a responsibly to hold up our end of the bargain and continue to maintain the state’s pension payments and education funding,” Ellman said. “Now, more than ever, it is absolutely imperative that we provide confidence for our students and educators in these uncertain times.”

Ellman also highlighted a provision in the budget that expanded the eligibility of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through June 2021. LIHEAP is a program to assist low-income households struggling with paying their utility bills. 

“This pandemic has effected all of us, even more so for the financial security of those who are already having trouble paying their bills,” Ellman said. “Expanding the eligibility for this program was a necessary step to ensure that those who are already struggling don’t fall through the cracks.”

In addition, this year’s budget provides an increase to the Local Government Distributive Fund. The fund provides local governments with a share of the state’s income tax revenue and will help them make up for budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The law takes effect July 1, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) released the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 21 budget, found in Senate Bill 264, providing funding for services that will put Illinois on the road to recovery from the health and economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“When we approved this budget, we did not think we would be in the middle of a movement today. I am proud of the work we did to bring much-needed funds to minority communities that were placed in the path of the COVID-19 storm as a result of decades of systemic racism.

“This budget is only the beginning of reimagining our state. We will continue to fight boldly for basic human rights through a path that not only recognizes the wrongs of the past, but turns the tide once and for all. I look forward to continuing this important work alongside Governor Pritzker and my colleagues in the General Assembly.”